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Abstract

We present a method to make phantoms of coronary arteries for intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT). The phantoms provide a calibrated OCT response similar to the layered structure of arteries. The optical properties of each layer are achieved with specific concentrations of alumina and carbon black in a silicone matrix. This composition insures high durability and also approximates the elastic properties of arteries. The phantoms are fabricated in a tubular shape by the successive deposition and curing of liquid silicone mixtures on a lathe setup.

Figures (10)

Fig. 2 Results of tensile tests for different silicone formulations and for a porcine coronary artery. Curves are identified by the PDMS:resin:reactive ratio. (L length, L0 length before stretch, F force, A0 cross section area before stretch).

Fig. 4 Examples of averaged OCT profiles and their fits. Samples have 0.3 mg/ml of carbon black. Alumina concentrations are 12 and 36 mg/ml. Only data between the vertical lines is considered in the fit.

Fig. 5 Plots of backscattered amplitude (A) and total attenuation coefficient (B) for a batch of 8 calibration samples having concentrations from 0 to 42 mg/ml of alumina and a fixed concentration of 0.3 mg/ml of carbon black. Each plot shows values obtained from OCT measurements performed on the top (blue circles) and the bottom (green squares) of calibration phantoms; and the fitted concentration dependencies (red lines) (CAlu: concentration of alumina; CCB: concentration of carbon black; A. U.: Arbitrary units)

Fig. 9 Backscattered amplitudes (A) and total attenuation (B) measured 13 months apart on a batch of calibration phantoms with increasing concentration of carbon black and fixed concentration of alumina (10 mg/ml). For the November 2009 series, measurements performed in a single region are shown (green dots), while for the December 2010 series, measurements performed in 9 different regions are shown (blue dots).

Tables (2)

Table 2 Optical properties measured on the artery and the two-layer phantoms presented in Fig. 8. The optical properties of single-layer phantoms made with the mixtures used for each layer are also presented.